Ultra Fast Broadband: The internet is becoming a reality for every household

The goal is to bridge the digital divide between them Regions of the country

ΤThe opportunity for 2,5 million citizens, not included in the plans of telecommunications providers, to access new generation telecommunication networks, with speeds of at least 100Mbps, upgradable to 1Gbps, is expected to be given by the project "Development of High Broadband Infrastructure (Ultra Fast Broadband - UFBB) ", announced by the Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Information.

With the project, the ministry aims to provide equal opportunities to all and announces an open international tender for its implementation, with a budget of 870 million euros.

As announced by the Ministry of Digital Policy, the implementation of the "emblematic" project, as it characterizes it, will be done through a PPP scheme.

The public participation amounts to 300 million euros (plus VAT), with a source of funding the NSRF (265 million euros from the ERDF, Operational Program "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship, Innovation 2014-2020" (EPANEK), and 35 million euros from the EAFRD, Rural Development Program (RDP) 2014-2020). The remaining 400 million euros (plus VAT) will come from private investment.

It should be noted that its budget exceeds the total budget of PPP projects that have been implemented in Greece from 2013 until today, it is noted in a relevant announcement of PSIPTE, a fact that characterizes the size and importance of the Ultra Fast Broadband project.

The aim is to bridge the digital divide between the Regions of the country and to develop the new generation broadband infrastructure, based on the objectives broadband set by the European Commission for 2025, in the framework of the policy "Connectivity for a European Gigabit Society".

As the Ministry of Digital Policy points out, the project will significantly improve Greece's position in the digital readiness indicators and will provide the necessary background for hosting the technologies of the future (5th generation networks, smart city infrastructure, internet of things, etc.). ). These infrastructures will belong entirely to the Greek State, which will acquire their management after the end of the concession period.

The project is part of the National Broadband Access Plan for Next Generation 2014-2020, which was updated and implemented by the General Secretariat of Telecommunications and Posts of the Ministry of PSIPT.

"With the project Ultra Fast Broadband high speed internet is becoming a reality. For every household in every part of the country "stressed the Minister of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Information, Nikos Pappas, adding that" now, we are overcoming the obstacles of the past, reducing the digital divide and achieving the goals set by the EU. new technologies in a fair and balanced way, becomes the focus of broadband infrastructure and connectivity ".

Also, the Secretary General of Telecommunications and Posts, Vassilis Maglaras, noted that "this is an emblematic project that will contribute decisively to the promotion of broadband and will accelerate the digital transformation of the economy."

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